Tongs



March 7, 11933 F BAASH E1- AL 1,900,378

TONGS Filed Aug. 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 THf//e Afro/MEX 'LONG S Filed Aug. 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 7, 1933 LAWRENCE E. BAAsH, QE Los ANGELES, AND WILLIAM n. MAXWELL, or BEVERLY HILLS, CALrEoRNIA v T'ONGS Application filed August V25, `1930. Serial No. 477,586.

This invention has to do withy tools and has particularfreference 4to tongs, useful for handlingpipe, casing, @and like,r objects.A It is a general object of kthis invention to provide tongs that areloperable to grip an object securely and with great force. t

It is an object of the invention to vprovide construction that is particularlyfwellsuited for embodiment in tongs for handling comparatively large objects such as well casing and well drill pipe, etc.

It is another object of theinvention to provide tongs that are of a simple well balanced construction so as to be particularly easy and convenient to operate.

It is another object of the inventionvto provide tongs in which the means for gripping the pipe. or object may be operated directly by the same force or pull that is employed to operate the tool for turning or rotating the pipe. 1

It is another object of the invention to provide tongs of the character mentioned that ameters or sizes. f

It is another object of the invention to provare adjustable lto grip objects of various divide tongs that are well suited to grip an object, such as a pipe or casing, with great force and may securely grip an object of this character with little danger of crushingor collapsing it. 1 It is another object of the invention to pro-- ,vide tongs of the character mentioned that embody simple` and improved means for gripping the objects to be handled.

It is another object of the-invention to provide tongs of thecharacter mentioned that embody but few simple sturdy parts that are capable oi withstanding severe strains and hard usage. 1

.it is another obj ect of the invention to provide tongs inwhich the means for operating the gripping means is in the nature of a lever orrtoggle means and embodies but two main parts or links. l

lt is a further object of the invention to y provide tongs of the character mentioned in which the operating means is'carried bythe handle or the lever of the tool and operates to counter-balance the headv and the object gripping meansy at the active end of the'tool. kOther objects and features ofour invention will be best and more `fully understood from the following detailed description of typical forms and applications of the invention throughout which descriptionreference maybe had to the accompanying drawings, in which: v i

Fig. lis a sideelevation of lone emboditop or. plan'view of the tongs. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal detailedsectional view of the tool. Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional view of the. head portion of the `tooland the adjacent parts.. Fig. 5 isa veri tical or transverse detailedv sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig; L1. lFig.-6 is anenlarged vertical detailedy -sectional view taken as indicated `by liney 6 6 on Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an enlargedv vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by linev` 7-7 on Fig. v2. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal detailed vsectional view of another form of our invention.

The construction provided by the present invention is capableof embodiment in tongs and wrenches for handling various sizes and classes of objects. Throughout the following detailed description the invention will be disclosed in simple forms adapted to handle comparatively large objects' such as .welll casing, drill pipe, etc. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be takenv as {restricted to the particular forms or application about to he described, but that it is to -be taken as including any features or modimay be constructed and proportioned to accommodate objects of various shapes and sizes. In the particular case illustrated, the

ment ofthe presentinvention. Fig. 2 is ai@ una .LJ

fas

'i so opening or recess 18 is provided between theside parts 16 and 17 to hold or receive a pipe P, or the like. The walls of the recess 18 may be curved and the recess may be substantially semi-circular as illustrated throughout the drawings. ln the4 preferred form of the invention the inner part 14 of the head carries the gripping element 11 and an opening or cavity 2() is provided in the inner part of the head for carrying the gripping element. The opening 2O extends a eonsiderable distance around the walls of the recess 18 and extends longitudinally through the side part 17 to its outer end. The upper and lower walls of the opening 20 may be flat and parallel.

The outer or gate part 15 of the head is provided to retain the pipe P in position in the opening 18. The gate or pipe retaining means of the head 10 may be varied considerably in construction. In the particular case illustrated, the gate 15 is in the nature of a single unitary member pivotally carried by the side part 16. A pivot pin 21 may pivotally connect the gate 15 with the side part` 16. f The outer part or the gate 15 is adapted to close the outer side of the recess 18 and is operable to a position where its free end is adjacent the side part 17. The inner side of the gate 15 is shaped to eEectively extend around and engage the objects handled by the tool. In accordance with the invention, the inner side 22 of the gate is curved, so that it is adapted to accommodate and effectively engage pipe and round objects of vari ous diameters. The curvature of the inner side 22 of the gate is such that the gate is rdapted to have substantially bearing engagement with pipes and objects varying considerably in size. Grips or dies 23 may be mounted on the inner side of the gate 15 to Y grip the pipe. The diesI 23 may be seated in dovetailed grooves 24 in the gate and may have serrated 0r roughened outer sides to effectively engage the pipe. A suitable handle 25 may be provided on the outer side of the gate 15.

The invention provides means for releasably connecting the gate 15 with the side part 17 to retain it in the closed position around a pipe P or the like.` A suitabe latch 26 may bev provided to releasably hold the rgate 15 in thev closed position. rPhe latch 16 be pivotally carried by the side part 17 so that it is adapted to engage a latch-catch,

or lug 27 -on the free end of the gate 15. The latch 26 may be yoked or U-shaped having spaced arms 28. The arms 28 extend into the opening 20 at the Outer end of the side part 27 and a pivot pin 29 extends through openings in the side part and the arms 28 to pivotally mount the latch on the side part.

4A transverse latch part 30 extends transversely between the arms 28 and is adapted to engage or cooperate with the lug 27. The outer portions vof the arms 28 may be connected by a suitable handle 31. Means may be provided for yieldingly retaining the latch in cooperative engagement with the lug 27. Leaf springs 32 may be carried by the inner part 14 to engage or bear against the arms 28 to releasably retain the latch in the locked position.

The gripping element 11 is mounted in the opening 20 ofthe head and is operable into] gripping or pressure engagement with the pipe P by the means 13. In accordance with the invention the gripping element 11 is in the nature of a pivotally mounted jaw and is preferably a single unitary part.. In the particular construction illustrated, the gripping element 11 is pivotally mounted on the pin 29. The upper and 'lower sides of the element 11 may slidably engage the upper and lower walls of the opening 2O and the outer end of the element 11 may have a tongue 33 to extend between the arms 28 of the latch. The pin 29 extends through anI opening 34 in the tongue to pivotally attach the element 11 to the inner part 14 of the head. The gripping element or jaw 11 is provided with a curved inner side 35 to engage or lit around the pipe P when the element is actuated by the means 13. The curvature of the inner side 35 of the element 11 is such that it is adapted to effectively engage or grip pipe of various diameters, that is, it is adapted to engage substantial surfaces or pipes, etc., of various diameters. A die 3G may be mounted on the inner side of the gripping jaw 11. The die 36 may be comparatively long and may have a toothed outer side of substantially the same curvature as the inner side 35 of t-he element 11. rlhe outer side of the gripping element or jaw 11 may be curved as illustrated throughout the drawings and the inner wall of the opening 20 may be shaped to effectively receive the element so that it is shiftable to a position where it is entirely free of the recess 18. Y

The handle 12 projects from the inner part 14 of the head and is provided to facilitate the handling of the tool and to carry the operating means 13. rPhe lever or handle 12 may be comparatively long and may be integral with the part 14. Inaccordance with the preferred form of the invention, the handle 12 is bifurcated or provided with a transverse opening 37. The opening 37 extends inwardly from the outer end of the handle 12 and may be comparatively long. The opening 37 is provided to carry the operating preferably flatv and parallel.

The means 13 is carried within the openingV 37 of the handle and may be operated directly by an operating line, or the like, employed to operate the tool to rotate the pipe P. The means 13 is in the form of a toggle means and includes two pivotally connected links 38 and 39. rl-he links 38 and 39 are arranged within the opening 37 and the link 38 is pivotally attached to the handle 412 adjacent its outer end, while the link 39 is provided to engage and operate the gripping jaw 11. The link 38 is mounted on a pin 4() extending transversely through the opening 37 through a bushing 41. The opening 37- is preferably pivoted adjacent the outer end of the handle, so that the link 38 is pivotally connected with the handle adjacent its outer end. The link 38may be comparatively short and is provided at its innerv end with a recess or socket 42. The outer end of the link 39 is provided with a tongue 43, which extends into the socket 42. A pivot pin 44 extends through the socket 42 and through an4 opening in the tongue 43a to pivotally connect the links 38 vand 39. In the preferred form of the invention, the Linner walls of the socket 42 are curved or rounded and the end of the link 39 is shaped to effectively seat in the socket.

The link 39 is an 4elongated member and extends through a passage orV opening 45 in the part 14 to project into the opening 20. The inner end of the link 39 is adapted to engage the outer rcurved'rear side of the gripping jaw 11 and the end of the link may be rounded as illustrated throughout the drawings. The side walls of the opening 45 are' curved to permit free movement of the link 39.- A guide pin 46 may extend transversely or vertically through the opening 45 to guide the link 39. The pin 46 may extend through an elongated opening 47 in the link. The opening 47 may be formedsutliciently long to permit the desired movement of the link.

The links 38 and 39 are mounted and proportioned so that they are buckled to project from one side of the handle 12 when in the unactuated position and upon beingurged inward, the link 39 forces the jaw 11 into gripping engagement with the pipe P. Y i

The links 38 and 39 may be operated in any suitable manner. In practice the links 38 and 39 may be operated by means of the line L employed for turning the too-l to rotate or hold the pipe P. The line L may be operatively connected with either of the links A38 or 39 at any suitable point. In the particular case illustrated, a lug 48. having an opening 49 for receiving the line L, projects from one side of the link 38 adjacent the point of pivotal connection of the links. Means may be provided for connecting a return line R with the toggle links. The line R may extend through an opening 51 in a lug 52 projecting fromthe link 38.v The opening 51 may be substantially diametrically opposite. the opening49 with reference to the pivotal connection of the links. v A

In accordance with the invention, meansis` provided for limiting the inward movement or" the links 38` and 39 to prevent them from assuming a position where the axes of the pins 40, 44, and 46 are in direct alignment. The means for limiting the movement of the t links may be in the nature of a stop means carried by the link 38. A projection 53 may be provided on the lug 52 and a stop screw 54 may be threaded through the projection.

T'he screw 54 is adapted to engage a side 'of'iv yto provide for the desired movement of the links and alock nut 55 'may be threaded on the screw to set it in any desired position.

The present invention provides means for normallyV yieldinglyholding the links 38 and 39 in the'unactuated position and for auto-r matically returning themto their out orunactuated position after the force or pull has` been removed from the line L. v A leaf spring 56 may be attached to the part 14 ofthe head and may extend into the opening 37 to engage the link 39. The spring 56 normally yieldingly urges the link 39 outwardly. A helical spring 57 may be provided on the projection 53 around the screw 54 to engage a side of the handle 12. The spring 57 may aidthe spring 56 in normally holding the links in an outposition and in returning the links to the unactuated position after use. The spring 57 acts to cushion or resistvany hammering action there may be between the screw 54 and the handle 12, in the event that the line L is operated suddenly or with great'force.

It is a feature of the present invention that the operating means 13l may be adjusted longitudinally of the handle 12 to adapt the tool for handling pipe and objects or" various sizes. The link 38 is connected to the handle 12, so that it may be adjusted radially relative to vthe pipe receiving opening 18 of the head.

bushing 41 in various rotative positions. A

nut 64 may be screw threaded on the pin 40 to retain thehandle 63 in position.`

In practice means 'may be provided 'for yreleasably setting the eccentric bushing 41 in diierent rotative positions. The handle 63 may Carry a spring pressed catch or pawl 65 for cooperating ,with a plurality of spaced notches 66 in the outer end of the handle 12.

" l notches in the end of the handle.

'The outer end of the handle 12 may be concentrically curvedabout the axis of the pin Il() and the pawl is adapted to cooperate with or extend into any one of the spaced A suitable operating lever 67 may be provided on the pawl 65.v lt will be apparent how the pin 40 may be rotated to adjust the links 38 and 39'longitudinally of the handle through 310 the eccentric bushing 41 and how the links may be set in any desired position by means of the pawl 65.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 8`cf the drawings, the head 10, the grip- 515 ping element or jaw 11, and the handle 12 may be of the same construction as in the form of the invention described above. 1n this form ofthe invention the jaw operating means 13 includes an outer toggle link 38 and an inner toggle link 39a. The link 38a may be of the same formation as the link 38 described above and may be adjustably pivotally mounted on the handle 12 on a pivot pin 410 and eccentric bushing al. rlhe outer end of the link 39CL is pivotally connected with the link 38a. The links may be pivotally connect-ed by means of a pin 70 extending through a socket 71 in the link 38a and an opening 72 in the link 39a. 1n this form of 0 vthe invention a push rod 75 is pivotally connected with the link 39a. The push rod 75 may be pivotally connected to the link 39a by means of a pivot pin 76. rlhe rod 75 slidably fits an opening 77 in the inner part 12 of the head 10. The rod 15 is provided to engage the gripping jaw 11 and extends into the opening 20 where it is adapted to engage the curved outer side of the aw. In the particular case illustrated, the inner end of the rod 7 5, which engages the jaw 11, is flat. rlhe stop means for limiting the movement of the links 38 and 39CL and the means for automatically returning the links to their normal position after actuation may be of the same construction as the corresponding means in the form of the invention described above.

lt is believed that the utility and practicability of the tool provided by this invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. The gate 15 and gripping jaw 11 are shaped so as to be adapted to receive and engage parts of various diameters and so that their pipe engaging faces grip or engage maximum surfaces of the pipe. The gripping jaw 11 is mounted in the head so that it is not subjected to becoming injured or displaced. It is to be noted. that the gripping jaw transmits the force applied by the operating means 111 directly to the pipe l? without putting much torsional or shearing strain onv the pivot pin 29. During operation of the tool the link 39 is urged substantially radially inward toward the pipe P, so that the gripping aw 11 is clamped directly onto the @d pipe. 1t will be apparent how a pull on the line L, tending to straighten the links 38 and 39, will force the jaw into tight gripping engagement with the pipe, and that the same force or pull may be employed to turn the pipe. The links 38 and 39 may be adjusted through the handle 12 by means of the eccentric bushing l1, so that they are adapted to 'actuate the gripping element 11 varying disthey operate to counter-balance the head 10,l

and the gripping element 11. The toggle links and the gripping element are carried in openings in the tool, so that they are not subjected to being damaged.

Having described vonly a typical preferred form of our invention, we do not wish to limit ourselves Yto the specific details rset forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall Within the scope of the following claims Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A tool of the character described including, a pipe encircling means including an inner part having an opening adapted to receive an object, and a gate adapted to retain an object in the opening, a gripping aw pivotally carried by the means, a handle on the inner part and means on the handle for operating the jaw into engagement with the object including two pivotally connectedtoggle links, one of the links being pivoted to the handle adjacent its outer end, the other being adapted to directly engage the jaw, means in the handle for slidably guiding the said other link, and means for adjustingthe links longitudinally relative to the jaw to adapt the tool for handling pipe of different *diam` eters.

2. A tool of the character described including, a pipe encircling means including an inner part having an opening adapted to receive an object, and a gate adapted to retain an object in the opening, a gripping jaw pivotally carried in an opening in the inner part and operable to engage the object in the first mentioned opening, a handle pro- `iecting from the inner part and toggle means in an opening in the handle for operating the jaw including, two pivotally-connected links, one being pivoted to the handle, the other being adapted to pressurally engage the jaw, and a pin carriedby the handle and extending through a slot in the said other link for guiding the link.

3. A tool of the character described including, a head adapted to receive an object, a gripping jaw carried by the head operable to engage the object, a handle on the head, means for operating the jaw including two mounted on the handle, the other being adapt! ed to engage the jaw, meansin the handle opening lor slidably guiding the said other link, and means for adjusting the links longitudinally relative to the jaw to adapt the tool for handling pipe of different diameters.

4. A tool of the character described in-r cluding, a head adapted to receive an object,

a handle on the head, a gripping element pivotally carried by the head, means on the handle for operating the element including two pivotally connected links, one pivotally carried by the handle, the other being adapted to engage the element, and adjustable means for limiting the inward movementv of the links. A

5. A tool of the character described including, a head adapted to receive an object, a handle on the head, a gripping element pivotally carried by the head, means on the handle for operating the element including two pivotally connected links, one pivotally carried by the handle, the other being adapted to engage the element, and al screw on one of the links for engaging the handle to limit inward movement of the links.

6. A tool oi the character described including, a head adapted to receive an object, a handle on the head, a gripping element pvotally carried by the head, and means on the handle for operating the element including two pivotally connected-links, one link being pivotally mounted on the handle, a push rod slidable in an opening in the handle and pivotally carried by the other link :tor'engagin'g the gripping element, and means on a link immediately adjacent the pivotal connection of the links for connecting with an operating line.

7 A tool of the character described including, a head adapted to receive an object, a handle on the head, a gripping element pivotally carried by the head and means on the handle oroperating the element including two pivotally connected links, one link being pivotally mounted on the handle', a push rod pivotally carried by the other link for engaging the gripping element, and means on a link immediately adjacent the pivotal connection of the links for connecting with an operating line.

. 8. A tool of the character described including, a pipe encircling means, a .handle for said means, a pipe gripping jaw on said means and means Jfor actuating the jaw including two pivotally connected toggle links, the outermost link being pivoted to the handle, the innermost link being in direct cooperative engagement with the j aw, and means adjacent the pivotal connection of the links for receiving a laterally extending operating line, the said pivotal connection of the links being located closer to the outer end of the handle than to the inner end `of the handle whereby a substantialleverage is obtained for turning the tool.

9. tool of the character described in cluding, a pipe encircling means, ya handle for lsaid means, a pipe gripping jaw on said means and means for actuating the jaw including two pivotally connected toggle links,

the outermost link being pivoted to the handle, the innermost link being in direct co operative engagement with the jaw, and means on one of the links in substantially lateral alignment with the pivotal connection of the links relative to the handle forreceiving a member for operating the tool.

10. A tool of the character described including, a pipe encircling means, a handle for said means, a pipe gripping jaw on said means and means for actuating the jaw including two pivotally connected toggle links, the outermost link being pivotedto the han-v dle, the innermost linkbeing inv direct cooperative engagement with the jaw, and means on one of the links in substantially lateral alignment with the pivotal connection of the vlinks relative to the handle for receiving a cluding, a pipe encircling means, a pivotedf pipe gripping jaw carried by the said means,

a handle for said means and means for actuating the jaw, including two'links, one being pivoted to the handle adjacent its outer end, the other directly operatively engaging the jaw, a pivotal connection between the links located a relatively short distance from the outer end-of the handle and including a rounded end part on one link tting a correspondingly shaped socket in the end of the other link, and a pivot pin carried by the said other link extending through the socket and an opening in the end part of the first mentioned link, and means on one ofthe links immediately adjacent said pivotal connection for receiving a laterally extending line for operating the tool.

In witness that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto subscribed our names this ith day of August, 1930. i

' LAWRENCE F. BAASH.

WILLIAM H. MAXWELL. 

